Log-debarking machine



July 1, 1958 o. T. FULGHUM LoG-DEBARKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OCb. 25, 1956 mo f S uw A. Wm N n w1 H F m, ma@ m 4M# rnmlw 0 n W M u M 0 w mb m QS mw m/w m: HV! w .En n/ mm mm wmw www om uw .\NN mv. Hr- .4R mx mm +r- Wm .l. :1| f f .7 mi; lnlnulululu IL. T .n ..7 UNITN m. NJ f NN mm vm mw Nm Nok d mw mv mv wv Sv Nm S July 1, 1958 o. T. FULGHUM LOG-DEBARKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OGb. 25, 1956 Oscar Fu/gum INVENTOR.

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United States Patent LOG-DEBARKING MACHINE Oscar T. Fulghum, Wadley, Ga. Application October 25, 19.56, Serial No. 618,239 s Claims. (ci. 144-208) The present invention generally relates to a log-debarking machine and more particularly to a ylog-deb'arking machine of a portable nature and which may be equipped with different types of power units for rendering the device adaptable for use in various areas for effective operation in the debarking of timber of any size or species in such a manner that it will be satisfactory for use in the pulpwood industry.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pulpwood debarker incorporating a support frame with means thereon for rotatably supporting a log Vto be debarked or peeled together with a longitudinally "movable cutterhead swingable in a vertical plane and movable longitudinally for effectively debarking logs of varying sizes and different kinds of trees or timber. 4

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel means on the supporting cradle of the log debarker as set forth in the preceding object for rotating the log about a longitudinal axis together with means actuated for kicking the log away from the cradle or off of the cradle after the log has been completely debarked.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a log-debarking machine which is extremely simple and rugged in construction, foolproof in operation, easy to control and relatively inexpensive to operate with the initial cost thereof being comparatively low.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details v of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the log-debarking machine of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the construction of Figure 1 with portions thereof broken away for illustrating certain of the structural details;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the log debarker illustrating the structural relationships thereof, the section being taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Figure4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating the cutterhead in contact with a log for debarking the same; Y

Figure 5 is a detailed plan view of the cutterhead construction and the means for longitudinally slidably mounting the same; j

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail view of the cutter and its shaft;

Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7--7 of Figure 6 illustrating further structural details of the cutter;

Figure 8 (Sheet No. 2) is a bottom sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 8 8 of Figure 4 illustrating further structural details of the cutterhead assembly; j t 4 l Figure 9 is an enlarged scale detailed sectional view ice 2 taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 9--9 of Figure 1 illustrating the mechanism for moving the cutterhead longitudinally; 4

Figure 10 (Sheet No. 5) is an enlarged, fragmental elevation showing the details of construction `of`one Vof the kicker elements for kicking the log from the su'p'- porting cradle after it has been debarked; l

Figure 11 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 11-11 of Figure l0 illustrating further structural details of the kicker mechanism; f r

Figure l2 '(Sheet No. 3) is a View similar *to Figure 10 with the kicker engaged for 'pivotal movement to kick a log olf its cradle; j

Figure 13 is a detailed `perspective View of the kicker"- actuating mechanism; I

Figure 14 (Sheet No. 5) is a partial plan view of a modified form of long-supporting cradle; and

Figure l5 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section, line 1515 of Figure 14 for illustrating the construction of the modified form of the log-'supporting cradle. y

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the'num'e'r'al '10 generally designates the lo'g-deb'ar'king machineof the present inventio-n which includes a generally horizontally disposed framework generally designated by the numeral 12, for supporting on a suitable surface and which may be anchored thereto by any suitable means but which is of such a construction that it may be easily transported from one location to the other thus locating the 'deba'rk'er adjacent the supply of logs to be debarked.

The framework 12 includes a plurality of spacedtranjsverse frame members 14 which are interconnected at their ends by a pair of parallel longitudinal frame meinbers 16 which coact with the transverse members 14 for forming the rigid framework 12. u I

Adjacent each end of the framework 12 are four upstanding members 18 generally in the form of su'pporting legs which are rigidly secured to the framework 12 as by welding or by any Vother suitable fastening means. The upstanding members 18 are grouped at each end of the framework 12 and disposed adjacent longitudinal member 16 which will be hereinafter 4called the rear longitudinal member. u

The upper ends of the members 18 adjacent one end of the framework 12 is provided with an interconnecting support member 20 having Va pivot axle 22 supported thereon and extending through a vertically disposed end plate 24. Longitudinally extending support rods 26 extend from the plate 20 and are interconnected an end rnemb'er 28 for mounting a pulley 30 in adjustable relation. A U-shaped bracket 32 is provided for the pulley 30 and the bracket 32 has a longitudinally extend, ing rod 3'4 extending through an aperture in the end member 28 together with a longitudinally adjustable collar 36 thereon whereby the position of the pulley 30 may be longitudinally adjusted The members 18 at the other ,end of the framework are interconnected by a supporting plate 40 having a bearing 42 thereon supporting a pivot axle 44 of a traiisversely extending vertical end plate 46.

Extending between the end plates 24 and 46 is a pair of elongated cylidi'ical members 48 which may be tubular for forming parallel longitudinal guides for a cuttlerhead assembly generally designated by numeral 50.

The end plate 24 is provided with a rearwardly efxtending support rod 52 having a counterbalance weight 54 mounted thereon. The other end plate 46 is provided with an elongated lrod 56 which extends forwardly in overlying relation to the framework 12 and terminates in a handle 5S disposed at th'efrnt 'of the framework 12 3. for access by the operator. The counterbalance weight 54 will normally pivot the two guide members 48 about the longitudinal axis formed by axles or pivot shafts 44 and 22 thus tilting the cutterhead assembly 50 from an operative to an inoperative position. The handle 58 is employed for lowering the cutterhead assembly 50 to an operative position against the action of the counterbalance weight 54 whereby the counterbalance weight 54 will urge the cutterhead assembly 50 to an inoperative position when downward pressure on the handle 58 is released.

A horizontally disposed supporting plate 60 is provided among the upstanding members 18 in underlying relation to the plate 40 for supporting a suitable motor such as an electric motor 62 having a power pulley 64 associated therewith whereby a belt 66 may be employed for transmitting rotational force to a pulley 68 and thus to a shift 70 whereby the relative size of the pulleys 64 and 68 will cause a reduction in speed of the shaft 70. The

shaft 70 is mounted in a speed-reducing unit 71 having an output shaft that is journaled in a suitable bearing block 72 and is provided with a sprocket gear 74 receiving a sprocket chain 76 which extends longitudinally outwardly of the framework 12 for encircling engagement withl an enlarged sprocket gear 78 on a shaft 80 which is journaled in longitudinally projecting bearing members 82. A cable drum 84 is attached to the shaft S0 for rotation therewith whereby the drum 84 will be driven by the motor 62 for winding and unwinding of a exible -cable 86.

One terminal end of the cable 86 is attached to one side of the cutterhead 50, extends above the guide members 48, is wrapped around the drum 84, then extends under the guide members 48 in substantially parallel relation thereto, and is then trained over the pulley 30, the other terminal end being secured to the opposite side of the cutter head 50 whereby rotation of the cable drum 84 will cause movement of the cutter head 50 in relation to the guide members 48. The adjustable collar 36 permits variation in the position of the pulley 30 thus providing means for adjusting the tension on the cable 86. .The motor 62 may be reversed for reversing the direction ,of the cutterhead.

The cutterhead 50 generally includes a pair of relatively short tubular sleeves or pipe members 88 slidably mounted on the guide members 48 which may also be pipe members. Rigidly mounted on the sleeves 88 is an elongated supporting platform 90 having an electric motor 92 or Iother suitable prime mover mounted adjacent the rear end thereof and provided with a power pulley 94 of the multiple-groove type for receiving a multiplicity of drive belts 96. The outer end of the platform 90 is provided with a pair of depending brackets 98 journaling stub shafts 100 having a cylindrical cutter 102 having a plurality of projecting cutter blades 104 mounted thereon. The cylindrical cutter 102 is elongated and extends for amajor portion of the width of the platform 90. One of the stub shafts 100 projects beyond the' confines of the platform 90 and is provided with a multiple-groove pulley 106 for alignment with the pulley 94 whereby the drive belts 96 encircle the same for rotating the cutter 102 when the motor 92 is actuated. The free end or front end of the platform 90 is provided with a depending protector plate or shield 108 which extends in front of the cutter 102 thus preventing chips from flying outwardly towards the operator of the device when the cutter blades 104 are brought into contact with the bark 11 of a log 112 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

With the above construction, the cutterhead is movable longitudinally along the ways 48 while the cutter 102 is being driven. The handle 58 may be employed by the operator for applying pressure to the end plate 46 thus pivoting the guideways about a longitudinal axis which extends lbetween the two guideways 48 thus pivoting the cutter 42 downwardly for engagement of the cutter blades 104 with the bark 110.

Disposed under the longitudinal path of movement of the cutter 102 is a log-rotating means which includes a pair of parallel shafts 114 and 116 arranged horizontally and mounted in suitable bearing members 118 on the upper surface of the transverse frame members 14. The shafts 114 and 116 extend lengthwise of the framework 12 and from its right-hand end (as viewed in Fig. l), the left-hand end of the outer shaft 114 extending beyond the corresponding end of the inner shaft 116 and being connected through a reduction-gear box 120 to an enlarged drive pulley 122 having a drive belt 124 encircling the same and `also encircling a drive pulley 126 on an electric motor 128 which ismounted on a plat form 129 on the end transverse members 14.

Each of the shafts 114 and 116 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced circular plates 130 having a plurality of teeth of serrations 132 on the periphery thereof. The plates 130 are arranged in spaced pairs and form a cradlefor the log 112, so that the teeth 132 can engage the log 112 and cause the same to be rotated when the members 130 are rotated. The righthand ends `of the shafts 114 and 116 are each provided with a sprocket gear 134 having a sprocket chain 136 encircling the same whereby the shafts 114 and 116 and also the members 130 will be caused to rotate in the same direction as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 4 thus causing the log 112 to rotate in the opposite direction as shown by the arcuate arrow adjacent the log 112 in Figure 4. Thus, as the log 112 is rotated, the cutter 102 is moved longitudinally in relation thereto whereby the cutter blades 104 will effectively remove the bark 110 from the log 112 -as clearly shown in Figure 4.

A device is provided for removing the log from the log cradle after it has been completely debarked and this means includes an elongated actuating rod 133 extending through bearing sleeves on the front longitudinal member 16 and through notches in the transverse members 14. One end of the rod 138 is provided with a U-shaped yoke 142 for pivotal attachment to a connecting link 144 which in turn has its other end pivotally attached to lanV actuating handle 146 having its lower end pivotally attached to a supporting bracket 148. The link 144 is attached to the handle 146 in spaced relation to the bracket 148 whereby pivotal movement of the handle 146 about its transverse axis will cause longitudinal sliding movement of the actuating rod 138.

The actuating rod 138 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending shipper rods 150 each of which is provided with a bifurcated or substantially lU-shaped yoke 152 on the inner end thereof, the yokes 1.52 all being in alignment for rotatable positioning between a pair of closely spaced shoulders 154 mounted on a slidable y sleeve 156 on the inner shaft 116 of the log-cradle construction. The sleeve 156 is provided with an enlarged extension portion 158 having a pair of longitudinal rod members 160 rigidly secured along its opposite sides as by welding 162 at diametrically opposed points. A similar cylindrical sleeve 164 is provided in spaced relation to the cylindrical extension 158 and is also secured lto the rod members 160 by similar welding. The ends of the rods 160 project beyond the cylindrical sleeve 164 for engagement with a pair of arcuate projections 166 on the inner face of the circular plate member 130. The projections 166 extend laterally inwardly and are curved for intimately receiving the projecting ends of the rods 160 when the sleeve 156 is shifted longitudinally on the shaft 116 thus causing the sleeve 156, its extension 158, the sleeve 164, the shaft 116 and the circular plate 130 to rotate as a unit. Reference is made to Figures 10-12 for this construction and Figure 1l specifically illustrates a kicker bar 168 having angulated end portions 170 secured to the rods 160 between the extension 158 and sleeve 164 as by welding 172. The kicker bar extends beyond the limits of the circular plate 130 and dueto the weight thereof will normally be disposed in a depending position as illustrated in Figure l1 thus maintaining an out-of-the-way position. When the rods 160 are engaged with the projections 166, the kicker bar 168 will rotate with the adjacent circular plate 130 thus moving upwardly and engaging the log 112 and rolling the same off the cradle formed by the circular plates 130. The action of the kicker bar 168 is aided by the rotation of those circular plates 130 on the outer shaft 114, such rotation assisting a log to roll off the debarker. The kicker construction is duplicated at each of the circular plates or sprockets 130 thus assuring removal of the debarked log. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a modified form of the invention in which shafts 116 and 114 are provided with sprocket gears 130 arranged in aligned relation for receiving a sprocket chain 176 which has slack therein for forming a cradle for rotatably supporting the log 112.

The cutter 102 or buffer head is preferably rotated at approximately 1750 R. P. M. and the log turner will turn the log at a constant speed dependent upon the reduction in the gear box 120 that drives the same. In each instance, an electric motor has been illustrated for purposes of simplicity. It is pointed out that small gasoline motors may be employed in lieu of the electric motors when electricity is unavailable or when the gasoline motor is deemed more desirable or economical.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles lof the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A log-debarking machine comprising a frame, longitudinal guide means mounted on said frame adjacent the rear thereof and spaced vertically upwardly from a rotating nontraveling log adjacent the front of the frame, a cutterhead slidably mounted on said guide means for vertical swinging movement and longitudinal sliding movement, whereby the cutterhead may be brought into engagement with such a g, said guide means including a pair of spaced parallel guideways interconnected by end plates, pivot means mounting said end plates, elongated handle means for pivoting said end plates in one direction, and counterbalance means urging the end plates in the other rotational direction, whereby manual pressure on the handle means may be transmitted to the cutterhead for urging the same into contact with a log being debarked, and whereby the counterbalance means will automatically urge the cutterhead away from such log when said manual pressure on the handle means is released.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cutterhead includes a pair of spaced parallel sleeves slidably encircling said guideways, an elongated platform rigid with said sleeves and projecting towards the front of the frame,

a depending shield plate on the free end of the platform, and a cutter rotatably mounted under the free end of the platform and inwardly of the shield plate with the shield plate and platform preventing chips from frying outwardly towards an operator.

3. A logdebarking machine comprising a frame, longitudinal guide means mounted on said frame adjacent the rear thereof and spaced vertically upwardly from a rotating non-traveling log adjacent the front of the frame, a cutterhead longitudinally movably mounted on said guide means for vertical swinging 'movement and longitudinal movement whereby the cutterhead may be brought into engagement with such a log and moved longitudinally thereof, said guide means including a pair of spaced parallel guideways interconnected by end plates, pivot means mounting said end plates on the frame, elongated arm means for pivoting said end plates in one direction, counterbalance means urging the end plates in the other rotational direction. whereby pressure on the arm means may be transmitted to the cutterhead for urging the same in one direction in relation to a log being debarked and whereby the counterbalance means will automatically urge the cutterhead in the other direction in relation to such log when said pressure on the arm means is released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,189,395 Shaw et al. July 4, 1916 1,358,993 Shaw Nov. 16, 1920 1,379,768 Larson May 3l, 1921 1,905,387 Kirkwood Apr. 25, 1933 2,587,473 Holveck et al. Feb. 26, 1952 2,600,625 Ekholrn et al. June 17, 1952 2,642,904 Pearce June 23, 1953 2,795,320 Dillingham June 1l, 1957 

